Washtenaw Community College raises tuition for 5th straight year
Students work on computers located on the second floor of the Student Center at Washtenaw Community College in this 2011 file photo.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
This year's 4.3 percent increase equates to $4 per credit for in-district students during the 2012-2013 academic year, bringing the cost to $96 per credit. A typical 12-credit semester will cost $1,152 for an in-district student.
The WCC Board of Trustees raised tuition for at least the fifth consecutive year during a meeting in April.
For students who live outside Washtenaw County, tuition will increase by $6 per credit hour and tuition for out-of-state students will increase by $8 per credit hour.
“The decision to raise tuition is never an easy one,” said WCC President Rose B. Bellanca. She said school officials "understand the financial hardships that many of our students face."
Added WCC trustee Stephen Gill: "There are students that every dollar more is a struggle and there's others where it's not going to make that much difference in the total cost of the year for them. But it’s a burden for everybody, nobody wants to pay more."
Stephen Gill
Gill said rising contributions to the state's indebted pension fund, coupled with increasing operational costs and dwindling state funding, have forced tuition up year after year.
'The last few years have just been tough," he said. "The reality is that every higher education institution is increasing tuition. We’re just trying to keep it as low as we possibly can."
This year's increase follows a wave of spikes in recent years. In 2011 the school raised tuition $5 per credit hour, or 6.3 percent, and in 2010 WCC raised tuition $7 per credit hour, a near-10 percent increase. In 2009 and 2008 the school raised in-district tuition $3 per credit hour.
Higher education funding expert Jennifer Delaney, a scholar at the University of Illinois, said that as community colleges raise prices, it's imperative for them to stay within the realm of affordability.
"In terms of caring about access and students actually attending college and having some sort of training out of high school, it's very important that states have some sort of low cost option," she said. "Affordability can close down those doors so that individuals aren’t able to acess anything beyond high school and that can be a real problem."
How does WCC's tuition stack up against other community colleges in the state? In-district tuition for the 2011-12 academic year is $66.70 per credit hour at Oakland Community College, $82.10 per credit hour at Northwestern Michigan College, $88 per credit hour at Mid Michigan Community College and $95.50 per hour at Grand Rapids Community College.
Meanwhile, average tuition at Michigan's public four-year college was $9,575 in 2011-12.
Community college costs vary nationwide. For example, in California community college tuition is $36 per credit hour and in Iowa the average cost is $142.92 per unit.
"I think it's still a great bargain... compared to doing your first two years at a university," Gill said of WCC tuition.
Tuition revenue represents 33.5 percent of WCC’s annual operating budget. State appropriations account for 12 percent, local property taxes provide 47.9 percent, and other revenue, such as space rental and vendor fees, covers the remaining 6.4 percent of the budget.
Gill said he is hopeful WCC can stem the increases in coming years.
"Probably there will be a little bit of an increase each year just to keep up with costs, but I am hoping we can get it down in the $2 to $3 range per credit hour," he said.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Bob
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 9:36 p.m.
It's still a bargain.
bluehoo
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 5:41 p.m.
I'm amazed at the lack of understanding that state college tuition increases over the last 10 years are almost directly related to the continued loss of support from state monies. The actual cost of college is not what's been changing so drastically, it's the loss of state money that goes into the formula. This article indicates about 12% comes from the state--if WCC like other states colleges, the state portion was closer to 50-80% back when the college got started. And if you also factor in the out of proportion increase in health care costs, you'll just about get the tuition increase.
Wake Up A2
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
Community Colleges do offer a good value, but I noticed that the last raise is not mentioned. The one the teachers received when all the school districts around them took freezes or cuts. The one that took effect last year. WCC could have "held the line" but someone has to pay for parking......
Dog Guy
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
We can expect a name change to WCC University.
Bob
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 9:37 p.m.
Have you seen what universities in the area charge per credit hour?
Doug
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
WCC offers many programs leading to fine careers. It's also a way for students to ease into the college scene before transferring to a major university. It's also a way for lower income students to get two years of basic studies out of the way inexpensively before transferring to a school that offers a career path that WCC doesn't provide. WCC has a solid reputation, an excellent staff and modern facilities. You get what you pay for.
andys
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
College tuition increasing beyond the rate of inflation for decades, funded by the river of cash available through student loans. The Fed's answer to the problem has hastened the pricing of college beyond the reach of the average families. The debt load on students is out of hand. The increases in tuition at all types of colleges are shameful. The regents / board members of colleges everywhere are not serving the students.
AMOC
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:03 p.m.
While the increases in WCC tuition over the past several years have been high in terms of percentage, they still result in students getting a bargain rate on their basic post high school education. A single undergraduate class at UM costs about as much as an entire semester at WCC. And the WTMC charter high school does a superb job of educating those students lucky enough to win places in the lottery for $2k / year less than AAPS receives per student. Before the charter-school haters on this blog complain that "they don't have to provide special education", remember that the lottery is completely blind to special education status of the applicants. I will also say that WCC and WTMC both do a superb job of customizing programs and supporting the 5 or 6 of their students who I know personally that have (high schoolers) or had (regular students) IEPs . WCC has had to expand their programs and build some facilities due to very high demand for job training and re-training. Doing this takes money, and a certain amount of on-campus infrastructure. That has been money well spent in my opinion, which has contributed to the relatively robust economy in Washtenaw County, vs. the rest of Michigan. While I think their new Health Center is magnificent, and applaud that it's open for members of the community to join, it wasn't as necessary as the parking improvements were or as welcome as more new classrooms and learning labs would be.
Mike
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 11:46 a.m.
It's the least expensive place to get an education in this town. The University of Michigan is now only for the wealthy; it should be taken off of the public roles and become a private school. Eastern is not cheap but a better financial option than U of M. Price increases are not going to change any time soon because demand is way up on education due to the great economy we are experiencing. we are also dealing with inflation (or not, if you ask the government), but the bottom line is they've got you right where they want you and have no competition.
Thomas
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 1 p.m.
And that is if you can even get past the wait list. I agree with you Mike, it's all about supply and demand. If the students the WCC is expensive then take a look at Phoenix, they are billing $590 a credit hour. At least Cleary University is only $375 a credit hour and that includes your books.
UlyssesWrong1
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 10:56 a.m.
Honestly, it's still extremely affordable. 12 credit hours (typical semester) for less than $1,200 is a lot cheaper than other community colleges, and let's not even compare this to the rates at bigger colleges and universities. I went to WCC a few years ago and 12 credit hours cost around $950 so the increase isn't too unreasonable. I think this raise would effect those who don't make very much or who can't set aside enough savings but hopefully those students can get federal aid or go in a payment plan. If not I could understand why people would be upset. Not to mention WCC has always been one of the nicer community colleges I've seen locally and they have some very nice facilities and good staff.
Chip Reed
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 10:28 a.m.
The former president, Mr. Larry Whitworth, had some impressive buildings built during his tenure. It is to be hoped that no more executive health spas will be constructed.
Dusky
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 10:11 a.m.
elGato, as an employee there, you protest too much. as an employee there, you also realize the waste in financial spending that could be reduced, the question at hand is NOT the quality of WCC education, the question is 'could it be provided to the community students in a less costly way'? Tell me, elGato, do you live in the county and pay the county school taxes?
A Voice of Reason
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 2:58 a.m.
It is all about benefit cost for employees. Should be tied to CPI
elGato
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 2:17 a.m.
As an employee of WCC and former student I'm sick of people whining about tuition increases. This school services a very important function not just for Washtenaw County, but for the whole region. There are students that come as far as Brighton and Detroit to attend school here. People should quit whining and start being grateful that this institution exists. EVERY SCHOOL has had to raise tuition to keep up with cost and WCC is no exception. GET OVER IT!!
Bob
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Wow.
Sallyxyz
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:34 a.m.
The last time I took a class at WCC in 2006, a 3 credit class for an in-district student, I paid $200. Now, that same class in 2012 would cost $300, an increase of 50%. And of course, there is little to no inflation, based on what the government tells us. A 50% increase over 6 years for a 3 credit class at a community college is totaly inexcusable.
Bob
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
So, can you tell us where they are wasting money? If you find it inexcusable, then you must have information on how they can adequately get by with less. Let's hear it!
andys
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:47 p.m.
You nailed the problem Sally. College tuition increasing beyond the rate of inflation for decades, funded by the river of cash available through student loans. The Fed's answer to the problem has hastened the pricing of college beyond the reach of the average families. The debt load on students is out of hand. The increase you speak of is shameful. The regents / board members of colleges everywhere are not serving the students.
Dusky
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
It's a shame that WCC can only see the future in terms of tuition increases....did they really need to build a parking structure, did they really need to built a Wellness Center?? Have they tried at all to cut back on expenses. To say that this increase would not affect all the students is not true. There appears to be too many money people on the Board who are not in touch with reality....they must realize that the only students not affected are the Financial Aid students. The parents and sons and daughters of the community tax payers are very much affected....these students may not be able to afford the constant increases in tuition and may be unable to qualify for financial aid. These are the students the Board does NOT consider. The reason the Community College was founded was to provide an affordable education for community students who could not afford the U of M or Eastern....has the whole Board forgotten that reason. Shame on you.
Thomas
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:56 p.m.
When I was attending, 10 years ago, they needed a parking structure then. I had to arrive an hour before evening classes started just to get a parking spot. I'm pretty sure the Wellness Center is self sufficient by collecting monthly dues.
elGato
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.
um...most people spend only a few years there how many tuition increases do you think they endure? 2 or 3?
rosewater
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:19 a.m.
They really needed the parking structure, however, I am very disappointed with the yearly increases and question it.
djacks24
Tue, May 1, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
Too bad they can't get with it and offer areas of study that will get people in demand, well paying, JOBS as opposed to cookie cutter programs that are not designed to teach specific skills, but only to ship students off to a University. Then it would be worth every tuition increase its had so far. Furthermore, their spring/summer offerings are and always have been a joke. Barely any offerings at all. It's a fact of life that many students will take at least one class for spring and summer with many students having to work while going to school.
Doug
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
I don't think djacks24 has any idea what WCC offers or the role it plays in society.
Thomas
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 12:53 p.m.
Uh...I beg to differ djacks24. If it wasn't for their top notch IT classes I wouldn't be making $90k a year (without a four year degree I might add).
elGato
Wed, May 2, 2012 : 2:19 a.m.
As an employee there, I work with students everyday that are getting degrees there in nursing and other health fields that are in dire need. Check you facts before you claim WCC has "cookie cutter" programs
Nick Danger
Tue, May 1, 2012 : 7:44 p.m.
compared to what you get for your money at U of M, WCC is a steal.Great facilities,great faculty and It's open to all